Funk musician TAKi76 passed away two days ago in Philadelphia. At first the cause of death was rumored to be suicide but we now know that TAKi76 died of "boredom" a very serious illness that affects millions of people worldwide. A close friend confirmed that TAKi was very bored of the current music being played on the radio and MTV to the point where all TAKi did in his spare time was drink loads of coffee and produce bizarre spacefunk music while abusing tons of vintage FUNK stompboxes and synthesizers just so that the artist could numb his pain. TAKi76 will be buried in his GIBSON guitar case today in his hometown (Montreal, CANADA) but the artist has no plans to stop releasing new material (just like 2PAC).

2 nights ago I went to NXNW (in philly) to see Bernie Worrell....when I walked in the club John Hickey (see link: http://cdbaby.com/cd/johnhickey/from/funkygirl )
told the lady that was selling tickets that I was on the guest list....
I was like "What the FUNK?" He sent me a message on myspace saying he may be able to get me in at the show and I assumed that someone was pulling my leg....anyway...I was like John Hickey? You're putting me on the guest list? HUh?...then he said "Of course...I told you I would"
Anyway....before John Hickey and his band played P-FUNK guitarist MIKE HAMPTON (another one of my heros) walks in...yooooooooo! I almost fainted (cuz I'm a funkgeek) and of course grabbed my camera and said "Mike! man,,,I can't believe you're here...could I bother you for a picture?" He was so nice and chill...then said "Do I look like an intelluctual with my glasses on?" and I said "No doubt bro!",,,,
anyway....John Hickey went on at 9:30,,,,they tore the roof off the muthafunka....I tell you.That was unbelievable.
Bernie joined them for the last song and he wore a purple jacket and berret)....

Before John's performance I met Scott Free a.k.a Skyntyte who also knew me because of myspace...I heard about his band called MUNKEEZ STRIKIN MATCHIZ from cdbaby but never got a chance to listen to their music plus my girlfriend's computer is pretty much dead right now (:<) andway...Scott was so nice and he gave me his cd called BANANATOMICMASS (check it out here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/munkeezsm/from/funkygirl )
The show was insane and then Mike Hampton joined them at the end for COSMIC SLOP and MAGGOT BRAIN....
We met Bernie after the show and he was very sweet too.We took a pic with him and when I shook his hand it felt like leather...no wonder that cat is so awesome on the keys
last night was such a blessing and I hope the pics come out nicely.I will post them as soon as they are developped

TAKi76 is a Greek/Canadian funkateer now living in Philadelphia.Taki76 plays guitar, bass and keyboards and he also produces and writes music.

2) When did you start playing music?

I started playing clasical piano at the age of 6 and was itching to play classical/jazz and blues guitar by the time I was 12.I was a big PRINCE fanatic at that time and also wanted to play guitar like PRINCE and Miko Weaver...I started listening to a lot of FRANK ZAPPA records and then got into PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC...I knew then that I wanted to preach the gospel of the PFUNK and wanted to play that type of space funk because that music REALLY moved me. My folks bought me an 8track studio when I was about 17 and the rest is history...I became obsessed with the sounds we hear in 70s FUNK records...I got lots of vintage effects that create the same sounds just so I could use them on my guitar and bass.For example I purchased a SMALL STONE phasor that is similar to the spacey sounds we hear in a lot of PFUNK records as well as a BIG MUFF fuzz pedal (which BOOTSY uses on his bass) and a MUTRON III reissue made by Electro Harmonix and Mike Beigel (who created the original MuTRON III pedal.) The MuTRON III or the QTRON is a really PHAT bass filter sound that blows everyone away when they hear it.It always gives me the chills too!

3) When did you start your music career?

I started gigging at the age of 18 in a funk/punk band...we were called WAZOO and I wasnt really happy in that band.I always pushed the old school funk while the bassist and drummer wanted to sound like RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE.We even had a video on the french MUCH MUSIC in Montreal...and interest (for a minute) by Tom Brokaws daughter who worked for a major label (I dont remember which one because this happened years ago). I also played with an artist named Rachelle Jeanty who was a background singer for Celine Dion. Recently I worked with some producers from Jazzy Jeffs "A TOUCH OF JAZZ" records. I also worked with an artist named TANZ (also known as TANZANIA LATEEF) who was an artist on Jazzy Jeffs label as well.

4) You sound like Eddie Hazel, did you ever see him live?

That would be a dream come true for me.I started becoming an Eddie Hazel freak right when he died.I saw a George Clinton show for the first time in 1994 and it just blew me away.Ive seen PFUNK many times and even have had a few conversations with them.I also went to a BOOTSY show and saw MACEO PARKER and FRED WESLEY and it just amazes me that they are still doing their thing in such a strong way. Brenda Hazel (Eddies widow) contacted me a few months back and told me that she really liked my music.I was really touched at how she reached out like that.It was very beautiful

5) What kind of guitar do you play?

I have a GIBSON LES PAUL Custom guitar and a FENDER Telecaster.These two are really my favorite guitars.Both have such sweet sounds

6) Name some of your biggest influences in music

I have SO MANY influences but heres a list of what really moves me: Anything PFUNK related (of course), Eddie Hazel and Bootsy are real strong influences though,,,I love Hendrix but Eddie was really different and makes you feel every note he played on that beautiful guitar.He made that guitar cry. Of course I love PRINCE, STEVIE WONDER, Sly Stone, Gil Scott Heron, Ohio Players, Earth Wind and Fire, Rufus/Chaka Khan, MILES DAVIS, JOHN COLTRANE, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker and the list goes on and on til the breakadawn (:>)

7) Is TAKi76 a group or is it a solo project?

TAKi76 is a "work in progress".Right now I am doing everything...from playing all the instruments,,,to writing all the music...producing everything and even promoting myself and networking with other artists.There was a cat named "TAKi 183" back in the 70s who became famous by "tagging" or writing his name all over New York City and then everyone else wanted to also get noticed so they did the same...I feel like nowadays thats the advantage of the internet...especially when someone is an indie artist like me.You can promote yourself on the net and at the end of the day you dont have to pay back the record company if your cd doesnt sell over a million copies. Hopefully the fact that creative musicians can use the net as a promotional tool will make artists play from their hearts again instead of their wallets (:>)

8) Did you teach yourself to play guitar?

I took lessons from a great teacher named Gary Antonio at the Montreal McGill University.

9) Does TAKi76 perform his material live?

Thats a good question..I am so busy trying to do so many different things with music that at the moment there is no time to put together a band to perform the music that you can hear on my cds.Hopefully that will change in the next few months.

10) What records did you release and where can people buy them

My first cd is called PURPLESOUL http://cdbaby.com/cd/taki76 and I am really in love with that disc (hahahaha) I drank SO much coffee when I was recording that album that when I listen to PURPLESOUL it really sounds like Im flying (:>).My second cd is called "EYE AM A NINJA/ U R A NINJA" http://cdbaby.com/cd/taki762 and it has some demos of stuff I did years ago.Even though they are demos I am really happy with them and plan to rerecord some of that material and make it sound more polished one day.My new (soon to be released) album is called "TAKi76 is DEAD" and itll be available on cdbaby.com by September.Ill keep you posted but you can hear two of the songs from that disc right here: http://www.myspace.com/taki76isdead The tracks are "TAKi76 is DEAD" and a song called "Jazzfracs Soul" which is dedicated to a buddy of mine named Timothy who just recently passed away. Also I have been working on a really creative project called "PHAT SK8TRAX". I am working with Jen who is a skating expert and rapper. She has written many songs that teach you how to skate and a lot of fun techniques that make things easy so that you can be an educated skater and not hurt yourself.We (as PHAT SK8TRAX) have released two cds. The first one is the "BOOGIE BACK RAP e.p" http://cdbaby.com/cd/phatsk8trax which teaches you how to skate backwards and the music is real old school funk.We actually were in two "BEST OF 2004" PAZZ JOP critics lists in New York Citys Village Voice.Well known music critic Chuck Eddy included us in his favorite singles list for 2004 Don Allred was the other critic that was a fan of the BOOGIE BACK RAP cd. Recently we released "YOU CAN STOP" http://cdbaby.com/cd/phatsk8trax2 our first full lenght album and the music on that cd is some more PHAT old school funk hip hop.I am also in love with that album.(:>) It is positive, creative and funkin funky skate music.As you could tell I am very much into concepts in music just like PFUNK always was.I love the skating concept because skating will always cool...itll never go outta style just like FUNK. FUNK will never die itll only multiply! Whats next for PHAT SK8TRAX? There will be a dvd coming out with music videos of the songs you can hear on our cds.The dvd will be an instructional dvd so that really makes things very interesting.

11) Did you ever record with other artists as well?

Yes.I also play bass for an artist named Melody Gardot http://cdbaby.com/cd/melodygardot Her music is really addictive jazzy, singersongwriter type music.We have done a number of shows in the last few months and this project keeps me creative as well.I love it.

12) What do you think about the record industry today?

I probably have the same opinion about the music biz as a lot of soul/funk fans have. There is lots of cookie cutter/wannabee stuff out there.Heres the press release for my new disc called "TAKi76 is DEAD" just so I can explain how I really feel about "pop radio" TAKi76 is DEAD (19762005) Funk musician TAKi76 passed away two days ago in Philadelphia. At first the cause of death was rumored to be suicide but we now know that TAKi76 died of "boredom" a very serious illness that affects millions of people worldwide. A close friend confirmed that TAKi was very bored of the current music being played on the radio and MTV to the point where all TAKi did in his spare time was drink loads of coffee and produce bizarre spacefunk music while abusing tons of vintage FUNK stompboxes and synthesizers just so that the artist could numb his pain. TAKi76 will be buried in his GIBSON guitar case today in his hometown (Montreal, CANADA) but the artist has no plans to stop releasing new material (just like 2PAC). NO, YOU HAVENT BEEN PUNKd...BUT YOUVE JUST BEEN FUNKD! LOOK OUT 4 tAKi76s "TAKi76 is DEAD" cd.COMING SOON. But on the other hand...now bands can promote their stuff for free on websites like myspace.com and those who are funk fanatics can network with others out there.So...even though most "pop" music out there sucks,,,theres always a few innovative acts that amaze us.

13) What is your feeling about downloading and what should the record industry do?

It seems like the industry is cheating everytime they do the "payola" thing (pay to play their artists) so I think the record companies should put the "payola" money into developping creative artists but thats just wishful thinking.I dont know...its a touchy subject and Im a true ghetto artist.Lots of people that download music dont even have time to listen to what theyve downloaded...so...I do feel like if people REALLY love an artist they will go out and buy the cd if the price isnt ridiculous.For indie artists like me ...a million downloads will help get our name out there...

14) What is your favorite soap, movie, actor and or actress?

I dont have a favorite soap opera (hahahaha) but I love Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreaus two movies together SWINGERS and MADE.I also love Fred Williamson who was in BLACK CAESAR (James Brown did the excellent soundtrack) and so many other great funk flicks...I love the socalled BLAXPLOITATION movies of the 70s...especially the music.Black Belt Jones is another favorite of mine

15) Is there something that we didnt asked you?

I would like to add that I did some cool funky versions of BATMAN, SPIDERMAN, Inspector Gadget and BOUNCE, FUNK, SKATE ROLL which is a tribute to 70s and 80s funk.

The new record is produced and co-written by the creative Onedependent and there's a raw teaser on my page right now from the album.The vocalist on the new jam is the amazing Narykcin. Check him out. You'll be glad that you did http://www.myspace.com/narykcin